Coffee Makers Price Comparison
Compare 910 coffee makers from De'Longhi, Sage, JURA and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from filter machines to bean-to-cup.
Coffee Makers price comparison UK
Coffee makers span one of the widest price ranges of any kitchen appliance — from a basic drip filter at 37 £ to a fully automated bean-to-cup behemoth pushing 979 £. That gap isn't just about prestige; it reflects genuinely different brewing philosophies, and picking the wrong type is the most common mistake buyers make. Our analysis of 910 products across this category makes one thing clear: the market is dominated by De'Longhi (148 products, averaging around £400), but sheer volume doesn't mean they're always the best choice for every household.
The fundamental split is between drip filter machines and espresso-based machines. Filter coffee is having a serious renaissance in the UK — brands like Moccamaster and Melitta have built loyal followings among those who want a clean, nuanced brew without the fuss of milk steaming. Espresso machines, meanwhile, range from entry-level manual units that demand skill and patience, through semi-automatics beloved by home baristas, all the way to fully automatic bean-to-cup models from Sage and JURA that grind, tamp, and extract at the touch of a button. The trade-off is always the same: more automation means less control over the final cup.
One thing worth flagging: pump pressure matters enormously for espresso. A minimum of 9 bars is non-negotiable for proper extraction and a decent crema — anything marketed below that threshold is best avoided for espresso. For filter machines, the key spec is water temperature consistency; look for models that brew between 92°C and 96°C. Brands like Smeg sit at a premium average (around £551) partly because of their retro aesthetic, but their brewing performance is solid. Bosch and Krups offer a more pragmatic middle ground, with average prices closer to 179 £. If you're pairing your machine with a grinder, our coffee grinders comparison is worth a look — freshly ground beans make a bigger difference than most machine upgrades.
At the top of the market, Sage and JURA are in a league of their own. Sage averages over £1,000 per machine and is the go-to recommendation from Which? and TechRadar for serious home espresso. JURA, averaging nearly £1,900, targets the office and premium home market with Swiss-engineered automatics that are genuinely impressive — but hard to justify for occasional drinkers. For most households, the sweet spot sits between 140 £ and 179 £, where you'll find capable semi-automatic and fully automatic machines from De'Longhi, Melitta, and Philips. Don't overlook milk frothers if your chosen machine lacks a steam wand, and check our coffee maker accessories section for descaling kits and replacement filters — running costs add up over time.
How to Choose the Right Coffee Maker
With prices ranging from 37 £ to 979 £ and four distinct brewing methods on offer, choosing a coffee maker is less about brand loyalty and more about being honest with yourself about how you actually drink coffee. The questions that matter: do you want espresso or filter? Are you happy pressing buttons, or do you want the machine to do everything? And how much counter space can you spare?
Brewing method: filter vs espresso vs bean-to-cup
Drip filter machines are the simplest and cheapest entry point — ideal for households that drink several cups a day and prefer a lighter, more nuanced brew. Brands like Moccamaster and Melitta's filter range excel here. Semi-automatic espresso machines give you control over grind, dose, and extraction time, but they require practice and a separate grinder. Fully automatic bean-to-cup machines (De'Longhi, Melitta, JURA) handle everything from grinding to brewing — brilliant for convenience, but you sacrifice fine-tuning. Choose your method first; everything else follows from that decision.
Pump pressure for espresso machines
If you're buying an espresso machine, pump pressure is the single most important technical spec. 9 bars is the minimum for proper espresso extraction and a stable crema — don't be fooled by machines advertising 6 or 7 bars as 'espresso makers'. The sweet spot for home machines is 9–15 bars. Anything marketed at 19 or 20 bars is usually a marketing figure; the actual brewing pressure is regulated down. What matters is consistent pressure delivery, not the peak number on the box.
Water reservoir capacity vs your household size
A 0.9–1.2 L reservoir suits one or two people comfortably. For a family or an office setting, look for 1.5 L and above — otherwise you'll be refilling constantly. Some bean-to-cup machines have plumbed-in options, which eliminates the problem entirely. One overlooked factor: reservoir accessibility. Top-fill tanks are far more practical on a day-to-day basis than rear-fill designs that require moving the machine every time.
Integrated grinder: burr vs blade, or none at all
Bean-to-cup machines with built-in grinders are convenient, but the quality of the grinder varies enormously. Conical burr grinders (found in Sage and JURA machines) produce a consistent grind and preserve aroma. Flat burr grinders are a step down but still acceptable. Blade grinders, occasionally found in budget automatics, produce uneven grounds that lead to bitter, inconsistent espresso. If the machine you're considering has a blade grinder, you're better off buying a separate burr grinder — see our coffee grinders guide for options.
Steam wand and milk frothing capability
If you drink cappuccinos, lattes, or flat whites, the milk frothing system is just as important as the espresso unit. Manual steam wands (common on semi-automatics from Krups and De'Longhi) give the best results once you've practised, but there's a learning curve. Automatic frothers (Philips, Melitta automatics) are more consistent for beginners. If your machine has no frothing capability at all, budget for a separate milk frother — a good one costs less than you'd think.
Running costs: descaling, filters, and energy use
The purchase price is only part of the story. Filter machines using paper filters (Melitta, Moccamaster) add an ongoing cost, though reusable metal filters are available. Espresso machines need regular descaling — machines with automatic descaling alerts (Sage, De'Longhi) make this much easier to keep on top of. Energy consumption varies from under 500W for small drip machines to over 1,500W for high-end espresso units. In the UK's current energy climate, that's worth factoring in if the machine will be on for extended periods each morning.
- Entry-level picks (From 37 £ to 140 £) : Basic drip filter machines and entry-level manual espresso makers from brands like Swan, Russell Hobbs, and Daewoo. Expect simple functionality, plastic build quality, and limited temperature control. Fine for occasional use or a first machine, but don't expect barista-quality espresso. Einhell and Makita's battery-powered drip machines also sit here — niche, but genuinely useful on a building site or camping trip.
- The practical sweet spot (From 140 £ to 179 £) : This is where the market gets interesting. Bosch, Krups, and Philips offer solid semi-automatic and fully automatic machines with decent pump pressure and removable water tanks. Smeg's filter machines appear here too — you're paying a premium for the design, but the brewing quality is genuinely good. A sensible choice for most households who want reliable daily performance without overthinking it.
- Serious home brewing (From 179 £ to 379 £) : De'Longhi's mid-to-upper range, Melitta's fully automatic bean-to-cup machines, and Moccamaster's premium filter brewers all live here. Build quality steps up noticeably — stainless steel components, precise temperature regulation, and better grinders on the automatics. Sage's entry-level machines also appear at this level. Worth the investment if you drink espresso daily and care about consistency.
- Premium and professional-grade (Over 379 £) : Sage's flagship Barista range, Siemens EQ series, and JURA's full catalogue. These are machines built to last a decade, with Swiss or Italian engineering, conical burr grinders, and temperature precision within 1°C. JURA averages nearly £1,900 — that's a serious commitment, best justified for households of four or more who drink multiple coffees daily, or for small offices. Black Friday and Boxing Day sales regularly bring 15–20% off these premium models.
Top products
- Melitta F300-100 Fully-auto Espresso machine 1.5 L (Melitta) : One of the best-value fully automatic bean-to-cup machines in the category — the 1.5 L tank suits families, and Melitta's brewing consistency is well-regarded. Not as feature-rich as Sage, but considerably more affordable.
- Smeg DCF02BLUK coffee maker Semi-auto Drip coffee maker 1.4 L (Smeg) : The go-to choice if aesthetics matter as much as performance. Brews well and the 1.4 L capacity is generous, but you're paying a style premium — if the machine lives in a cupboard, look elsewhere.
- Swan Nordic Pump Espresso Coffee Machine (Swan) : A solid entry-level espresso machine with a clean Scandinavian design. Good for beginners who want to learn manual espresso without a large outlay — don't expect the crema quality of a De'Longhi, though.
- Ariete 1389/14 Manual Espresso machine 0.9 L (Ariete) : The most-offered product in the top 15 and a popular choice for compact kitchens. The 0.9 L tank is limiting for households of more than two, and manual operation requires patience — but the espresso quality at this price is genuinely respectable.
- Melitta 6769697 coffee maker Fully-auto Espresso machine 1.2 L (Melitta) : A compact fully automatic that sits at a sensible price point for the category. Melitta's build quality is reliable and the machine is straightforward to descale — a practical choice for one or two daily espresso drinkers.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a semi-automatic and a fully automatic espresso machine?
A semi-automatic machine requires you to grind the coffee, tamp it into the portafilter, and start/stop the extraction manually — giving you control but demanding practice. A fully automatic machine (bean-to-cup) handles grinding, dosing, tamping, and extraction at the press of a button. Semi-automatics from De'Longhi and Krups typically cost less and produce better results once you've learned the technique; fully automatics from Melitta and Philips are more consistent for everyday convenience but leave less room for personalisation.
Is 15 bars of pressure enough for a good espresso at home?
Yes — 9 bars is the minimum required for proper espresso extraction, and 15 bars is more than sufficient for home use. The 15-bar figure you'll see on most consumer machines is the pump's peak pressure; the actual brewing pressure is typically regulated to around 9 bars during extraction. What matters more than the headline number is pressure consistency throughout the shot. Machines from Sage and De'Longhi with pressure gauges let you monitor this directly.
Are Smeg coffee makers worth the premium over a standard filter machine?
Smeg machines are worth it if design matters to you — the build quality and aesthetics are genuinely premium, and the brewing performance is solid. However, at an average price of around £551, you're paying a significant style premium over functionally equivalent machines from Bosch or Melitta. If you're equipping a kitchen where the coffee maker sits on the worktop all day, the Smeg DCF02 is hard to fault. If it'll live in a cupboard, spend the money on a better grinder instead.
Can I use a coffee maker without a built-in grinder with pre-ground coffee?
Yes, all espresso and filter machines accept pre-ground coffee — you don't need a built-in grinder. Most bean-to-cup machines also have a bypass doser specifically for pre-ground coffee. That said, freshly ground beans make a noticeable difference to flavour, particularly for espresso. If your budget is tight, buying a separate burr grinder alongside a mid-range machine often produces better results than spending the same amount on a bean-to-cup machine with a mediocre built-in grinder.
What coffee maker traps should I avoid when buying on a budget?
The biggest trap is buying a cheap 'espresso machine' with less than 9 bars of pump pressure — it will produce weak, flavourless coffee regardless of the beans you use. A second common mistake is ignoring descaling requirements: machines without automatic descaling alerts are often neglected, which kills the heating element within a year or two. Finally, watch out for machines with non-removable water tanks or drip trays — they're a cleaning nightmare and a hygiene risk over time.
Is a Moccamaster really worth over £200 for a filter coffee machine?
For filter coffee specifically, yes — the Moccamaster is one of the most consistently recommended machines by Which? and specialist coffee reviewers, and it's built to last 10+ years. It brews at the correct temperature (92–96°C), uses a thermal carafe to keep coffee hot without a hotplate (which stews the coffee), and the build quality is exceptional. If you drink filter coffee daily and want to avoid replacing a cheaper machine every two or three years, the Moccamaster is a genuinely sound long-term investment.
Which coffee maker brands offer the best value in 2026?
For espresso, De'Longhi and Krups offer the best value — wide range, reliable performance, and strong after-sales support through Currys and John Lewis. For filter coffee, Melitta punches above its weight at a lower average price than Moccamaster. Sage is the standout choice if you're serious about espresso quality and have the budget; their machines consistently top TechRadar and Trusted Reviews best-buy lists. JURA is excellent but hard to justify unless you're buying for an office or a very coffee-intensive household.